Fish as feed inputs for aquaculture: practices, sustainability and implications

Fish as feed inputs for aquaculture – Practices, sustainability and implications: a global synthesis 7

The production of other shrimp species such as the giant tiger prawn (Penaeus
monodon) has shown a gradual growth over the last five years (Figure 3). This steady
growth demonstrates a consolidation of the shrimp farming sector since the “boom and
bust” days of the previous two decades and indicates a growing maturity of the sector
marked by improved management, including better risk analysis.

2.1.4 Filter-feeding finfish species
This group of finfish species depends on natural productivity, which in turn may be
enhanced through pond fertilization. Typical species include the Chinese carps and
Indian major carps such as silver carp (Hypothalmichthys molithrix), bighead carp
(H. nobilis), catla (Catla catla) and rohu (Labeo rohita). These species have particular
dietary selectivity and so are often produced in polyculture systems that maximize the
productivity of a given waterbody.
Production of these filter-feeding
species is dominated by China,
which produces 65 percent of the
8.8 million tonnes of global output and
is limited to only the silver and bighead
carps. India and Bangladesh also
produce significant amounts (25 and
5 percent, respectively) of filler-feeding
fishes, although these are mainly the
Indian major carps (rohu, catla and
mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus), although
there is a growing use of the Chinese
carps.
Although irrelevant in terms of their
usage of fishmeal and fish oil (the use of
supplementary diets with these species
is rarely practiced), these species are
highly important in terms of their contribution to local economies and their role in
ensuring food security in rural areas. They are often grown in small-scale operations,
with the produce being locally sold and consumed; thus they represent a significant
contribution to the protein consumed by rural communities. It is important to
recognize this contribution and assess the food security and poverty implications of a
transition to more intensive systems and species with a wider market.

FIGURE 5

Production of the key filter-feeding carp species,

2000–2005

Source: FAO (2006a)

0

500 000

1 000 000

1 500 000

2 000 000

2 500 000

3 000 000

3 500 000

4 000 000

4 500 000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Production (tonnes)

Year

Silver carp Bighead carp Catla Rohu

Source: De Silva and Turchini (2009)

FIGURE 4

Rate of growth of Asian crustacean aquaculture compared with the rest of the world

A. Asian crustacean aquaculture B. Rest of the world crustacean aquaculture

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

80 - 84 85- 89 90- 94 95- 99 00- 04

Years

Brackishwater culture Freshwater culture

Mariculture

G ro wth rate (% )

-20

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

80- 84 85- 89 90- 94 95- 99 00- 04

Years

Brackishwater culture Freshwater culture

Mariculture

G r o w t h r a t e ( % )